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Banded reef-cod (Epinephelus fasciatomaculosus) — Serranidae

Banded reef-cod

Epinephelus fasciatomaculosus
Family: Serranidae
LC · Least Concern

The Banded reef-cod (Epinephelus fasciatomaculosus) is a saltwater fish of the family Serranidae that grows up to 30 cm.

Length
30 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The rock grouper is a grouper from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 30 cm and has a stocky, brownish body with irregular dark blotches and bars. As a reef predator it shelters around rocky and coral reefs in shallow coastal water and hunts small fish, crustaceans and squid. It is a local food fish. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Banded reef-cod?

The Banded reef-cod has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Brownish body with dark blotches; reef predator

Where does the Banded reef-cod live?

The Banded reef-cod lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific

How big does the Banded reef-cod get?

The Banded reef-cod grows to a maximum of about 30 cm. On average the species is around 20 cm.

Is the Banded reef-cod dangerous to humans?

No, the Banded reef-cod is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Banded reef-cod edible?

Yes, the Banded reef-cod is commonly eaten.

More photos

Banded reef-cod (Epinephelus fasciatomaculosus) — Serranidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Jacob She, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Banded reef-cod (Epinephelus fasciatomaculosus) — Serranidae — 3
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Banded reef-cod (Epinephelus fasciatomaculosus) — Serranidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) hokoonwong, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Banded reef-cod (Epinephelus fasciatomaculosus) — Serranidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Josy Lai, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Banded reef-cod verified
Scientific name
Epinephelus fasciatomaculosus
Family
Serranidae
Other names
Grouper; Rock grouper verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
30.0 verified
Average length (cm)
20.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thick / fleshy sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
15.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and squid inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Protogynous (female first) sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Reef-dwelling grouper; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Brownish body with dark blotches; reef predator sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Handlines sourced
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Epinephelus

More from the family Serranidae

Fin

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